New import Kevin Dillard scored a game high 28 points as the New Zealand Breakers beat the Bullets 84-82 in Brisbane to keep their NBL finals ambitions alive.
Kevin Dillard Photo: Photosport
In just his second game for the club, the point guard stood out with four rebounds and five assists, before nailing the two-point jump shot that gave the Breakers their second win in a row and 10th of the Australian basketball league season.
The victory keeps the Breakers playoff hopes alive and starts to build some momentum ahead of a road trip to Illawarra on Friday and a home game against Perth at Vector Arena this Sunday.
Despite being behind for almost the entire game and trailing by ten at the final break and as many as seven points with just under three minutes remaining, the new look Breakers never backed down and played to the final second, with buzzer beater from Dillard to earn him man of the match honours and a much-needed road win.
Dillard earned the steal with 18 seconds remaining dribbled to the top of the key before stepping back and making the winning shot.
The Breakers have now won two in a row but face a tough week ahead, with a road trip to face the second placed Illawarra Hawks (Friday night), before returning home to face last season's champions Perth Wildcats on Sunday night at Vector Arena.
Breakers general manager Dillon Boucher was proud of the effort of the team tonight, and is hoping for a big turnout on Sunday.
"The boys won't be getting carried away but that was a brave win tonight in a tough gym. To stay in the game when behind for so long and to remain confident in those final few minutes and execute like they did, that says volumes for the character in the team.
"We are seeing more and more from Kevin and Paul as they get more time with the team and adjust to the pace and style of the league but we saw everyone contribute tonight. I thought again our young guys stepped up superbly, but this was about the entire team and a quite brilliant play from Kevin to ice the win.
"The team is showing tremendous character and Sunday could be something special, a series defining game against our perennial rivals in Perth, the defending champions are coming to town and there is so much riding on the game, fans won't want to miss this, I hope they turn out big time to create a special atmosphere."
-RNZ
